Chocolate
Chocolate...mmm. That sounds sweet. Mmmm...that sure would be nice right about now.
Our love affair with chocolate
Just the word chocolate conjures up all kinds of delicious thoughts for most of us. From the time that we were small, we have always been drawn to all things chocolate. It is synonymous with special occasions and holidays, a special treat for when we are especially good. Chocolate is even catching on in many parts of the world that does not have tradition of eating it, as it becomes more and more available tastes for it are growing. but, most of us do not know the first thing about its production or even its contents. We've put together a few interesting tidbits of information about our beloved chocolate.
Cacao vs. cocoa
Cacao refers to the tree from which chocolate products are obtained while cocoa refers to the beverage.
Roasting
Roasting gives the cacao beans its distinctive flavor. The beans are usually roasted at temperatures between 250-300 F.
Contents
Milk chocolate is the most popular form of chocolate. It contains 50% sugar, 35% milk solids, and 15% cocoa solids.
Dark chocolate contains about 55% sugar and 45% cocoa solids.
White chocolate is made from sugar, cocoa butter, dry milk solids, and flavoring. ( Technically not chocolate because it lacks cocoa solids.)
Melting Temperature
Chocolate does literally melt in your mouth. Dark chocolate starts to melt at about 93 F while milk chocolate starts to melt at slightly lower temperatures.
White bloom?
The white film, or bloom, that can sometimes be seen on the chocolate forms when the chocolate is exposed to heat. The heat causes some of the fat in the chocolate to melt and as a result it rises to the surface, but does not spoil the flavor or the quality of the chocolate.
Consumption
About 3 billion pounds of chocolate are consumed worldwide each year.
Europe imports almost 1.4 million tons of cacao beans each year, which is over 60% of the world market.
Age
The flavor of milk chocolate begins to break down after about 6 months, on the other hand the flavor of dark chocolate actually improves with age up to 18-24 months.
Top Results for "Chocolate":- Chocolate - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Chocolate (pronounced /ˈtʃɒklət/ (help·info)) comprises a number of raw and processed foods that are produced from the seed of the tropical cacao tree. ...
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- Exploratorium Magazine: Chocolate
Information about cacao, history, production, and health effects. Includes bibliography and links to related material. Provided by the Exporatorium, ...
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- CHOCOLATE SKATEBOARDS
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- Ghirardelli Chocolate
The Ghirardelli Chocolate Company is a manufacturer and marketer of premium chocolate products. Incorporated in 1852, Ghirardelli has the richest heritage ...
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- Chocolate: The Exhibition
Chocolate and its national tour were developed by The Field Museum, Chicago. This project was supported, in part, by the National Science Foundation.
- www.fieldmuseum.org
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2008 Verizon Wireless IMPORTANT CONSUMER INFORMATION: Subject to Customer Agreement, Calling Plan & credit approval. V CAST Music, Games & VZ Navigatorsm: ...
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- Chocolate, Chocolate Gifts, Gourmet Chocolate, Chocolate Truffles ...
Visit Our Unique Gourmet Marketplace For Chocolate Gifts, Chocolate Truffles, and Handmade Artisan Specialties.
- www.chocolate.com
- Psychoactive food : chocolate
Article on chocolate as a psychoactive food, references, and links to supporting and additional information.
- www.chocolate.org
- HERSHEY'S
Makers of chocolate and candy products. Factory visitor information, games for kids, and information on products.
- www.hersheys.com
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